>>5655141>>5655143>>5655206>>5655508“Personal space” is a relative term with the <span class="mu-i">Albatross</span> well over its passenger capacity. That isn’t to say that people are bumping elbows at the sink as much as the fact that someone’s almost always turning a corner. Cooped up for the long haul back to Amagi, and with only so much to entertain or stave off cabin fever, more than one member of the Conclave could be found doing laps around the rear half of the ship.
That being said, the walls and bulkheads are more than thick enough to keep away prying ears or any unwanted eavesdroppers. And that while accommodations for the Conclave have spilled into the cargo hold, you haven’t been forced to share your cabin…yet.
Fingers crossed that it’ll be a long time coming before you have to replace the <span class="mu-i">Albatross</span>, but having more cabins for the next ship wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
But alas. You have other, more pressing concerns to go over.
From your desk, the hologram of Kreia regards you with a cool, analytical gaze. “I see that you aren’t drunk this time. Perhaps you’ve realized the futility of seeking solace in spirits.”
“That was only one time,” you counter, crossing your arms imperiously. “And it just so happened that meeting you coincided with my elevation to Jedi Knight.”
The elderly master remains unamused. “How curious. I would think that the Shadows would have more solemnity in their rituals.”
…the worst part about talking with Kreia is that you genuinely can’t tell if she’s insulting you or not.
The hologram makes the effort of huffing, and slipping her arms into the voluminous sleeves of her robes. “But I can see that you have come to me for guidance. Far be it for me to turn away a willing student with the courtesy to inquire with a sober mind.”
…okay, now you know that she’s screwing with you.
It might have been a trick of the light, but you could have sworn that the corner of her mouth twitched in a facsimile of amusement. “Tell me what has happened since we last spoke. I am curious to see how you have grown since our last meeting, and I sense that much has happened.”
Banter over. Now to Jedi business.
You nod, pouring yourself a glass of water. “So I got knighted…"
For the beginning of the recounting, Kreia holds her silence. She offers no commentary beyond questions of clarification, visibly digesting your story. That quickly changes after reaching the part in the story where Trykov sounded the alarm on the Kessel Conclave. The already-thin line of her mouth seems to grow even sharper, more severe as you recount the journey to Kessel.
By the time you finish, you aren’t quite sure who the old master is more furious with:
Shadday Potkin, who had attacked you in a fit of pique unbecoming of a Jedi master.
Or Farren Gaelle, who had spared her in spite of it.
(cont.)
